Best Headphones for iPhone
Only the noise-cancelling headphones that fit "best headphones for iphone", scored on our public rubric from published specifications, dated prices and independent reviews.
Sony WH-1000XM6 (Black) - Sony's 2025 flagship brings back the folding hinge, adds a faster processor and 12 microphones, and edges Bose on voices and wind Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Best combined noise cancelling and call quality in the test
- Folds again — the XM5 did not
- LDAC and a 10-band EQ in the app
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023) - The classic QuietComfort: most of the Ultra's cancelling and all of its comfort for $100 less, with physical buttons Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Lightest pair in the test at 240 g, with Bose's cushions
- Cancelling within 3 dB of the Ultra
- Physical buttons and a 2.5 mm cable for planes
Sony WH-1000XM5 (Black) - Last year's flagship at this year's discount: nearly the XM6's cancelling and calls, without the folding hinge Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Within 2 dB of the XM6 on cabin noise
- Regularly $100–$150 below list since the XM6 launched
- Same excellent call quality and LDAC
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd gen) - The strongest low-frequency cancelling we measured, the most comfortable headband, and Immersive Audio that works without a special track Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Deepest cut of aircraft rumble in the test
- Lightest clamp and softest cushions — best after two hours
- Immersive Audio spatialises any source
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) - The iPhone pick: instant pairing, spatial audio with head tracking, lossless over USB-C — heavy, pricey, and a step behind on cancelling Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Best integration with iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Spatial audio with head tracking is the best implementation here
- Lossless and low-latency audio over USB-C
More to consider
These 3 come from retailer catalogs. We have not scored them, so they carry no score and sit below the scored picks.
Shokz OpenRun Headphones - Black
Shokz OpenRun wireless bone conduction headphones let you listen while you run, ride or exercise. View at Mike's Bikes →
Baseus Inspire XH1 Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Baseus Inspire XH1 Noise-Cancelling Headphones are over-ear headphones with Sound by Bose and Dolby Spatial Audio, suited to iPhone listeners who want noise cancelling. View at BASEUS TECHNOLOGY (HK) CO., LIMITED →
Baseus Bowie MH1 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
A wireless noise cancelling headphone option from Baseus with an in-depth ANC system and clear call microphones. View at BASEUS TECHNOLOGY (HK) CO., LIMITED →
What separates the best headphones for iPhone on this page?
Five pairs, scored on the same criteria: noise cancelling 30, sound quality 25, comfort & build 15, battery & features 15, value 15. The Sony WH-1000XM6 leads at 8.8, with the Bose QuietComfort Headphones, Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones all at 8.6, and the Apple AirPods Max at 7.7.
The XM6 earns its 8.8 on the combination of cancelling and call quality, plus the folding hinge the XM5 dropped. It costs $449.99, and its sound is tuned warm out of the box, so plan on the 10-band EQ.
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones are the lightest here at 240 g, cancel within 3 dB of the Ultra, and cost $349. You give up aptX, LDAC and Immersive Audio, and battery runs 24 hours.
The XM5 sits at $399.99 and stays within 2 dB of the XM6 on cabin noise, with the same call quality and LDAC. It does not fold, and wind noise handling is weaker than the XM6.
The QuietComfort Ultra at $449 has the deepest cut of aircraft rumble in the test and the lightest clamp, though it is slightly less detailed than Sony or Sennheiser on music. The AirPods Max at $549 weigh 385 g and are the heaviest by 90 g, but pair instantly with iPhone, iPad and Mac and do spatial audio with head tracking better than anything else here.
What should you check before buying headphones for an iPhone?
Start with the codec question. LDAC on the Sony pairs matters if you stream high-bitrate audio; the Bose models skip it. If you want lossless, the AirPods Max do it over USB-C.
Then weight and clamp. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones at 240 g and the QuietComfort Ultra are the ones to try if you wear headphones for hours. The AirPods Max at 385 g is the pair to try before you commit.
Battery is the other split. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones run 24 hours, the shortest apart from AirPods Max. Check whether you need a folding hinge for travel, and whether physical buttons matter more than touch controls.
Which one for whom?
- Sony WH-1000XM6 — best_for: the buyer who wants the top combined cancelling and call quality and will use the EQ.
- Bose QuietComfort Headphones — best_for: long-wear comfort and physical buttons at $349.
- Sony WH-1000XM5 — best_for: near-XM6 cancelling and calls at $399.99, if you can live without folding.
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones — best_for: the deepest low-frequency cancelling and Immersive Audio on any source.
- Apple AirPods Max — best_for: iPhone, iPad and Mac users who want instant pairing, head-tracked spatial audio and USB-C lossless.
For iPhone owners who want the strongest all-round package, the Sony WH-1000XM6 at 8.8 is the pick. If comfort over long sessions matters more, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones at 240 g and $349 are the lighter, cheaper route. The Apple AirPods Max only make sense if instant pairing, head-tracked spatial audio and USB-C lossless are worth $549 and 385 g to you.
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*Scores: Noise cancelling 30 · Sound quality 25 · Comfort & build 15 · Battery & features 15 · Value 15; score = Σ ÷ 10. Prices shown were checked on the date beside each and may change. Affiliate links are added only after a score is locked and can never change it. How we rank.